Chuskies are a designer dog breed that combines the best of Siberian Husky dogs and Chow Chows. This combination of these two breeds can result in a pet with quite a stubborn streak. So what is the best way to train a Chuskie?
Chuskies can be a stubborn breed and require training to ensure they’re well-socialised and obedient to their owners. A few aspects to work on with this Chow Husky mix are obedience training, socialisation, barking, toilet training, crate training.
This energetic dog can be the ideal family pet for experienced dog owners, but you might want to give it some training first. In this article, we’ll give you some advice on training your Chuskie.
Your Chusky may be a cute and playful pup, but if you want to live harmoniously with it, then you need to ensure it receives proper training. A Chusky dog probably won’t have its Chow Chow or Husky parent around to get it on the straight and narrow, so this will fall on you. Like other dogs, if left untrained, this designer breed can be a problematic family member.
This mixed-breed dog is notoriously stubborn, so training one can be quite the task. Patience and incentives, like using dog treats, are a must with this dog to help them respond quickly.
All types of training are advantageous, but the Chusky would benefit most from obedience training, barking training and early socialisation.
Now and again, a Chusky’s attitude is a juxtaposition to its cute exterior. Chusky dogs are highly intelligent, and this means that they tend to have a mind of their own and strong willpower. Leaving this behaviour unchecked will give this Chow Husky mix the idea that it rules the house. This type of training is key to showing your dog who’s boss.
Huskies are notorious for their vocal range, and their Chusky relatives have inherited their need to sound the alarm. While Chuskies can make brilliant guard dogs, if they aren’t trained to bark when it’s appropriate, you might be on the receiving end of multiple noise complaints from neighbours.
Being a good guard dog comes with its own set of problems, and the Chusky is prone to being overly protective. Early socialisation is important, especially for this medium-sized, as it helps them understand that other dogs and people can be friends and not everyone is out to get their owners.
With all stubborn breeds comes the challenge of training them not to relieve themselves in inappropriate places, such as in the kitchen. Toilet training your Chusky is not an option; it’s a necessity!
Read on as we give you the best tips to potty-train your independent Chusky.
When to start toilet training your Chusky puppy
The first step of toilet training any pup is knowing when to do so. Like most forms of training, it should start as soon as possible; puppies between 12 to 16 weeks old are at the ideal age to begin toilet training.
Crate training is a way to give your dog a comfortable and familiar space of its own where it can calm down when necessary. Chusky dogs are one breed that benefits a lot from being crate trained. Let’s take a look!
If you’re not lucky enough to work remotely or have to leave your Chusky alone for prolonged periods, crate training is crucial for ensuring your furniture stays intact. This crossbreed may have inherited some streaks of laziness from its Chow Chow parent, but pent-up energy coupled with separation anxiety can result in destructive behaviour.
As a general rule, crate training can start as soon as possible, particularly if you own a strong-willed Siberian husky Chow Chow mix. Most puppies will be ready to begin crate training at around 8 weeks old, but exercise patience, as the Chusky dog breed may take longer than other dogs.
Crate training can take a while to do with a Chusky due to its strong will and stubborn nature. But, with perseverance, treats and a lot of love, your dog will soon come to enjoy their crate. But how do you crate train a Chusky?
Start by purchasing a crate that suits your Chusky. Trying to match it with the dog’s coat colour is not enough. The crate must be comfortable and accommodating for a growing pup.
Place the crate in a relaxing and familiar area, and be sure to leave the crate door open to entice the Chusky pup into checking it out on its own. If the puppy doesn’t immediately show interest, then you may encourage it with treats. Do not force your puppy into the crate.
Sit near the crate for around 10 minutes, periodically leave and return. This process can be repeated until your pup can be left for 30 minutes or until you leave the house and return without issue.
Despite being very smart dogs, Chuskies generally aren’t known for being the best show dogs. In fact, preventing your Chusky from chasing other pets might even be considered a good enough trick, given their reputation. Siberian Huskies, on the other hand, are better known for such. If you have the patience, a Chusky may be able to learn a trick or two.
Training a Chusky can be compared to somewhat raising a defiant toddler; only this fur baby can move a lot faster. It might seem like a mountain of a task, but it’s worth it.
Here are our tips to help you make training your Chusky as easy as possible:
Whether you want your dog to be a show dog or simply sit still when asked, training can be a lengthy process. Avoid relaxing or seeing the job as done when you make progress, as a lack of consistency could let all your hard work slip away. Dogs, especially difficult ones, need constant reminders of their training until it becomes instinctual.
Positive reinforcement is the act of using rewards to encourage your dog’s positive behaviour. Rewards can include giving your pooch its favourite toy, a deep back rub, or a tasty treat. For an affectionate dog like a Chusky, this can be a powerful method of improving behaviour while forming a much-needed bond.
Because of how difficult the Chusky breed can be to train, you may be tempted to keep handing out treats as an incentive. Doing this is not advisable as it may only be a temporary solution.
Giving out treats too frequently can make them lose their effect as an educational tool. Additionally, the wrong treats can negatively impact your dog’s diet and cause unneeded health problems.
Clicker training, also known as mark and reward training, is another way of encouraging good behaviour through positive reinforcement. This primarily involves you sounding the clicker every time your dog displays obedience, thus creating a positive association with the sound in the dog’s mind. Clicker training can be a fun way to teach basic commands or tricks.
If you’re looking to be a first-time dog owner, then you might want to consider different dog breeds first. Rushing to get your hands on this mixed breed without proper preparation could leave you with well more than one problem.
When training your Chusky, always be patient and remember that every dog is different. If you’re struggling to train your dog, consider seeking out the help of a professional.
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